Driver activity and vehicle operation logging and reporting

ABSTRACT

A method for logging and reporting driver activity and vehicle operation includes identifying a driver of a vehicle, recording operating data with an on-board recorder that is hard-wired to an engine control module, coupled to a mileage sensing system, and linked to a global navigation satellite system, and recording duty status of the driver. An hours of service log and a fuel tax log are created from the operating data. The method includes comparing the driver&#39;s hours of service log to an applicable requirement, indicating to the driver whether the driver is in-compliance or out-of-compliance with the applicable requirement, automatically uploading the logs to a receiver external to the vehicle using a wireless telecommunications network, and emitting a compliance signal representative of whether the driver is in-compliance or out-of-compliance with the applicable requirement to a second receiver external to the vehicle and under control of authorities.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to driver activity and vehicle operation loggingand reporting.

BACKGROUND

One of the largest government-mandated paperwork and cost burdensimposed upon any segment of private industry are the reportingrequirements relating to commercial motor vehicles (CMV). CommercialMotor Vehicles (CMV) and their respective drivers and carriers arerequired by various federal regulations and international agreements tocomply with rules governing the safe operation of the vehicles and thereporting of fuel taxes. In 1937, the federal government imposedhours-of-service (HOS) regulations upon commercial motor vehicle driversoperating commercial vehicles in the domestic motor carrier industry toensure highway safety. Under direction of Congress, the Federal MotorCarrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has scrutinized and periodicallyrevised the hours-of-service regulations to aid in the reduction ofdriver fatigue and sleep disorder related incidents on the nation'shighways.

Federal regulations relating to the safe operation of Commercial MotorVehicles (CMV) are defined in 49 CFR Part 395 and 49 CFR Part 390.5, theentirety of each of which are incorporated by reference. One way inwhich safety is promoted in the hours-of-service regulations is toprohibit drivers from operating or being forced to operate theirvehicles more than a specified amount of time between mandatory off-dutyperiods. In 1987, the FMCSA permitted carriers the flexibility of usingan automatic on-board recording devices (AOBRD) instead of thetraditional reporting method involving manual data entry and filing ofreports by the CMV drivers and/or their carriers.

The International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) is an agreement amongjurisdictions in the United States, Mexico and Canada that simplifiesthe reporting of fuel-use tax for diesel, gasoline, gasohol, propane,and natural gas consumption by commercial motor vehicles. Fuel-use taxis included in the purchase price of the fuel and then laterredistributed to those jurisdictions where the vehicle actually wasdriven while consuming fuel. For example, a driver of a CMV may purchasediesel fuel in the state of Texas and travel outside of Texas to aneighboring state, e.g., Louisiana, using the same diesel fuel purchasedin Texas. IFTA requires carriers to report actual mileage driven in eachjurisdiction so that the actual taxes collected may be later apportionedto Texas and Louisiana in accordance with actual vehicle operation. Eachday, some 6.4 million drivers complete HOS logs to track drivercompliance with HOS regulations. In addition, fuel tax logs are createddaily for some 10 million trucks. The cost of compliance with thesereporting requirements is extraordinarily burdensome. It is estimatedthat the annual cost of complying with reporting requirements usingpaper logs is approximately $2,000.00 per driver and $2,000.00 percommercial motor vehicle. This results in a paper log compliance cost of$31 billion dollars per year imposed upon private industry.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a method for logging and reporting driver activity andvehicle operation includes identifying a driver of a vehicle andrecording operating data. The operating data is recorded with anon-board recorder that is hard-wired to a data bus, for example, anengine control module, of the vehicle, coupled to a vehicle mileagesensing system, and linked to a global navigation satellite system. Theoperating data includes mileage obtained from at least one of thevehicle mileage sensing system and the vehicle data bus; engine use,time, and date obtained from the vehicle data bus; and location, time,and date obtained from the global navigation satellite system. Themethod includes recording a duty status of the driver. The duty statusincludes (a) off duty status, (b) sleeper berth status, (c) driving-onduty status, and (d) not driving-on duty status.

The method further includes creating an hours of service log from time,date, and duty status, the hours of service log including a change induty status of the driver, time and date the change occurred, hourswithin each duty status, total hours driven today, total hours on dutyfor seven days, and total hours on duty for eight days; creating a fueltax log from mileage obtained from the vehicle mileage sensing system,location obtained from the global navigation satellite system, timeobtained from at least one of the vehicle data bus and the globalnavigation satellite system, and date obtained from at least one of thevehicle data bus and the global navigation satellite system, the fueltax log including miles traveled between periodic recording intervals,and location, time, and date recorded at each periodic recordinginterval; comparing the driver's hours of service log to an applicablerequirement, for example, law or regulation; indicating to the driverwith the on-board recorder whether the driver is in-compliance orout-of-compliance with the applicable requirement; automaticallyuploading the hours of service log and the fuel tax log to a receiverexternal to the vehicle using a wireless telecommunications network; andemitting a compliance signal representative of whether the driver isin-compliance or out-of-compliance with the applicable requirement to asecond receiver external to the vehicle and under control ofauthorities.

Embodiments of this aspect may include one or more of the followingfeatures.

The method includes identifying the driver of the vehicle by interfacingwith a portable memory device, and importing a driver's hours of servicelog through the portable memory device or the wireless network. Theportable memory device is, for example, a smart card or contact memorybutton. The method further includes verifying the identity of the driverof the vehicle using, for example, biometric verification, and enablingthe vehicle to be started, moved, or engine idled in response toidentifying the driver of the vehicle.

Recording operating data includes automatically recording the mileagefrom the vehicle mileage sensing system; the mileage, engine use, time,and date obtained from the vehicle data bus; and the location, time, anddate obtained from the global navigation satellite system. Recording theduty status can include automatically determining a change in the dutystatus and at least one of the time, date and location of the change inthe duty status from the operating data. Recording the duty statusincludes logging a change in the duty, status from a manual input by thedriver.

The fuel tax log is used to create an IFTA (International Fuel TaxAgreement) compliant fuel tax report. The method includes manuallyinputting an indication of a border crossing.

When team driving, the method includes logging the duty status of afirst driver of the vehicle with the on-board recorder; identifying anext driver of the vehicle with the on-board recorder; logging the dutystatus of the first driver and the next driver of the vehicle with theon-board recorder; and importing data for an hours of service log forthe next driver into the on-board recorder from at least one of aportable memory device and a wireless telecommunications network. Thefuel tax log can be created for a single vehicle having the first driverand the second driver.

The method includes calibrating mileage received from the vehiclemileage sensing system using data received from the global navigationsatellite system or using vehicle tire size, and providing mileage fromthe recorder to an odometer display and to the vehicle data bus.

An exceptions report can be created from the comparison of the driver'shours of service log to the applicable requirement, and a cause of beingout-of-compliance displayed to the driver.

The method includes encrypting the operating data, the hours of servicelog, the fuel tax log, and the compliance signal emitted from therecorder to ensure data integrity.

Operating data can be modified by a driver input and/or by a fleetcarrier input, and any alterations of operating data recorded with atrack changes function of the on-board recorder and/or on the hostserver.

The hours of service log can be displayed, for example, inside oroutside the vehicle on an external display, as a graphical grid.

Automatically uploading includes uploading over a pager connection, acellular telephone connection, a wide area network connection, aninfrared connection, a radio connection, and/or a satellite connection.Automatically uploading includes uploading during an off-peak operatingperiod, for example between 1:00 am and 5:00 am and/or on a weekend, fora wireless telecommunications network. Automatically uploading includesattempting to upload at least daily first over a least expensiveconnection and, if unsuccessful, then over at least one next leastexpensive connection, and uploading over a satellite connection whensuccessive daily uploads are unsuccessful. Automatically uploadingincludes attempting to upload at least daily first over a predeterminedwireless telecommunications network connection and, if unsuccessful,then over another predetermined wireless telecommunications network.Automatic uploading is an uploading of the current day, previous days,or day prior to the previous day hours of service and/or fuel tax logs.

The method includes uploading to the second receiver external to thevehicle when a compliance status check is requested by law enforcement,and/or when the vehicle is within a predetermined range of the secondreceiver. The second receiver is located, for example, on a handhelddevice, along a highway, at a weigh station, or within a law enforcementvehicle. The compliance signal is uploaded, for example, through a wiredor wireless connection connected to a data port inside or outside of thevehicle.

The hours of service log is output to, for example, a display on theon-board recorder, a display on an external display device, the secondreceiver, or a wired connection connected to a data port inside oroutside of the vehicle. The output of the hours of service log occursresponsive to a request from, for example, the driver, a fleet carrier,or the authorities. A data transfer and storage device can be placed incommunication with the on-board recorder; and the hours of service log,fuel tax log, and the compliance signal uploaded to the data transferand storage device.

The receiver to which the logs are automatically uploaded is, forexample, a host server, and the fuel tax logs are uploaded from the hostserver to an external server that creates and files fuel tax reports.

In particular embodiments, the method may include notifying the driverif a particular event occurs, for example, notifying the driver to loginto the recorder if the vehicle moves and the driver has not logged in,emitting an out-of-compliance signal if the driver is not logged inwithin a predetermined period, notifying the driver to log operatingdata on a paper log if the recorder is malfunctioning, and notifying adriver when the driver is nearing the end of an hours of serviceparameter. The driver can be notified by, for example, a text message, avisual indicator, and/or an audible signal. Compliance can be indicatedby red, yellow, and green lights. A light on the recorder can be flashedwhen the driver is within a first predetermined time period of the endof the parameter, and another light on the recorder flashed when thedriver is within another predetermined time period of the end of theparameter. The carrier can also be notified when the driver is nearingthe end of a parameter. The method can also include emitting a signalindicating whether the recorder is present.

The method further includes, for example, the driver certifying thehours of service log prior to the automatic upload, and initiating aself-diagnostic function on the recorder upon a predetermined event. Thepredetermined event is at least one of a vehicle start, once in a24-hour cycle, upon demand by law enforcement, and upon demand by thedriver.

According to another aspect, a method for logging and reporting driveractivity and vehicle operation includes recording only the followingoperating data mileage obtained from at least one of the vehicle mileagesensing system and the vehicle data bus; engine use, time, and dateobtained from the vehicle data bus; and location, time, and dateobtained from the global navigation satellite system.

According to another aspect, an on-board recorder for logging andreporting driver activity and vehicle operation includes a memory deviceconfigured to store operating data; a power supply; a first interfaceconfigured to connect to a vehicle mileage sensing system; a secondinterface configured to connect to an vehicle data bus of the vehicle; areceiver configured to link with a global navigation satellite system;at least one data portal configured to upload data from the memorydevice to a receiver external to the vehicle using a wirelesstelecommunications network, and supporting a connection with a receiverexternal to the vehicle and under control of authorities; a driverinterface configured to record driver identification information inputby a driver of the vehicle and duty status input by the driver; aprocessor operatively connected to the memory device for processingencoded instructions, recording operating data, and creating an hours ofservice log, a fuel tax log, and determining whether the driver is incompliance with an applicable requirement; and a display.

According to another aspect, a system for logging and reporting driveractivity and vehicle operation includes an on-board recorder; wiredconnection between the on-board recorder and the vehicle data bus; afirst server connected with the vehicle through the wirelesstelecommunications network, the on-board recorder being configured toautomatically download the hours of service log, the fuel tax log, andthe compliance signal; and a second server connected with the firstserver and configured to receive the fuel tax log, the second serverincluding a computer readable media encoded with one or more computerprograms for filing fuel tax reports based on the fuel tax log.

According to another aspect, a device for logging and reporting driveractivity and vehicle operation includes one or more of the followingmeans: means for identifying a driver of a vehicle and recordingoperating data; means for recording a duty status of the driver; meansfor creating an hours of service log; means for creating a fuel tax log;means for comparing the driver's hours of service log to an applicablerequirement; means for indicating to the driver with the on-boardrecorder whether the driver is in-compliance or out-of-compliance withthe applicable requirement; means for automatically uploading the hoursof service log and the fuel tax log to a receiver external to thevehicle; and means for emitting a compliance signal representative ofwhether the driver is in-compliance or out-of-compliance with theapplicable governmental reporting requirement to a second receiverexternal to the vehicle and under control of authorities.

According to another aspect, a method includes one or more of thefollowing and/or an apparatus includes one or more of the followingmeans for: identifying one or more drivers of a vehicle; verifying theidentity of the one or more drivers by at least one of biometric andvisual means; determining driver hours of service for more than onedriver concurrently; recording driver hours of service for more than onedriver concurrently; uploading data via a least cost method over awireless telecommunications network; uploading through the recorder, viaa wireless telecommunications network, driver identity, whether or notverified; identifying a driver, tying identity information to a driverrecord, determining driver hours of service, recording hours of service,uploading hours of service via a wireless telecommunications network,and optionally verifying identity information and optionally tyingverification information to the driver record.

According to another aspect, a method includes one or more of thefollowing and/or an apparatus includes one or more of the followingmeans for: determining miles driven by a vehicle; recording miles drivenby a vehicle; determining at least one of present and past location of avehicle within a jurisdiction; determining at least one of present andpast location of a vehicle between jurisdictions; determining bordercrossings between jurisdictions; recording at least one of present andpast location of a vehicle within a jurisdiction; recording at least oneof present and past location of a vehicle within two or morejurisdictions; recording border crossings between jurisdictions;uploading via a wireless telecommunications network at least one ofpresent and past location of a vehicle within a jurisdiction; uploadingvia a wireless telecommunications network at least one of present andpast location of a vehicle within two or more jurisdictions; uploadingvia a wireless telecommunications network border crossings betweenjurisdictions; and uploading via a least cost method over a wirelesstelecommunications network at least one of present and past location ofa vehicle within a jurisdiction, at least one of present and pastlocation of a vehicle within two or more jurisdictions, and/or bordercrossings between jurisdictions.

According to another aspect, a method includes one or more of thefollowing and/or an apparatus includes one or more of the followingmeans for: calculating, for example, periodically, when interrogated byauthorities, or continuously, whether or not a driver is driving withinparameters established by at least one of law(s) or regulation(s);wirelessly notifying, signaling, alerting or informing authorities thata driver is not in compliance with applicable hours of service laws orregulations; transmitting driver hours of service data to lawenforcement via at least one of a wired connection, portable memorydevice and wirelessly, displaying data residing on the recorder via atleast one of a wired connection, portable memory device and wirelessly,displaying remaining time for driver hours of service in at least oneduty status generated from the recorder; exchanging data between therecorder and devices used to pump fuel into a vehicle; determining adriver's hours of service in compliance with home country and country ofoperation laws and regulations determining more than one driver's hoursof service concurrently in compliance with home country and country ofoperation laws and regulations; and displaying hours of service data inany one or more languages.

According to another aspect, a method includes one or more of thefollowing and/or an apparatus includes one or more of the followingmeans for: identifying the location at which a trailer is at least oneof tethered or un-tethered from a vehicle; recording the location atwhich a trailer is at least one of tethered or un-tethered from avehicle; uploading the location at which a trailer is at least one oftethered or un-tethered from a vehicle; identifying the location of atrailer tethered to a vehicle; recording the location of a trailertethered to a vehicle; and uploading the location of a trailer tetheredto a vehicle.

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth inthe accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features,objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thedescription and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a display of an on-board recorder.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the on-board recorder.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a system and method for logging and reportingdriver and vehicle operating data.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of processing steps for logging and reportingdriver and vehicle operating data.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of processing steps for logging and reportingdriver and vehicle operating data.

FIG. 6 is a graphical view of an hours-of-service log generated by theon-board recorder.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a display external to the recorder.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a device for receiving a signal indicatingcompliance status of a driver or vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The systems, methods and apparatus described provide the capability oflogging driver activity and vehicle operating data, creating reportsfrom the data containing information required to comply with HOSregulations and IFTA fuel tax reporting, and emitting a signalindicating whether the driver is in-compliance or out-of-compliance withapplicable HOS laws or regulations.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an on-board recorder 200 includes variousinputs and outputs for interfacing with a driver of the vehicle, a hostserver (typically located at the fleet carrier), authorities, a vehiclemileage sensing system, for example, a speed sensor (such as a magneticpickup) and vehicle odometer sensor display of the vehicle, a data busof the vehicle, for example, the vehicle engine control module (ECM),and a global navigation satellite system. The driver communicates withrecorder 200 via a driver interface 240 permitting data input andinteraction with the driver through the use of a portable memory devicereader 241, and duty status buttons 244.

Recorder 200 includes a front panel 240 having a display screen 250, forexample, a scrolling text message bar, for displaying text messages tothe driver, a portable memory device reader 241, such as a contactmemory button reader or smart card reader, to permit logging-in andlogging-out of the driver from recorder 200 as well as transfer of priordriver activity to and from recorder 200, and duty status buttons 244permitting the driver to manually change the driver's duty status, i.e.,“on-duty driving,” “off-duty,” “on-duty, not driving,” or “sleeperberth.”

Front panel 240 has a self-test button 245 that allows the driver toinitiate testing of the operability of recorder 200, and an indicatorlight 246, 248, such as an LED light, that indicates proper or improperoperation of recorder 200 and/or the driver that is currently drivingwhen team driving. Additional indicating lights 246 provide a visualindication of whether the driver's hours of service is in compliance orout-of-compliance with applicable hours of service regulations, forexample, a red light indicates out-of-compliance, a green lightindicates in-compliance, and a yellow light indicates that the driver isapproaching the end of permitted driving time. Additionally oralternatively, compliance information can be conveyed to the driveraudibly and/or on display screen 250. Front panel 240 also includeseither or both of on-duty time remaining and a scrolling text messagebar on display 250. Driver buttons 247 permit recorder 200 to switch thedisplay between the drivers driving.

The front panel 240 of the driver interface includes optional biometricreading device(s) 242, 249, for example, a fingerprint recognitionreader 242 and a camera 249. Recorder 200 also includes a wired dataport 243, such as a USB port, to permit data transfer between therecorder 200 and other external devices or media, such as an electronicdisplay (shown in FIG. 7).

Recorder 200 continuously obtains mileage from the vehicle mileagesensing system through a mileage sensing system interface 220, as wellas mileage, engine use, miles driven, time and date obtained from theECM through an ECM interface 225. Vehicle location (latitude andlongitude), date, and time are input to recorder 200 from a globalnavigation satellite system, e.g., GPS, via a satellite interface 230periodically, such as every fifteen minutes. In addition, a wirelessdata portal 235 is provided to permit the uploading and downloading ofdata from and to recorder 200.

On-board recorder 200 includes a back-up power supply 215, for example,an internal battery, processor 205, and a memory device 210. Primarypower to on-board recorder 200 is provided by a connection to thevehicle battery. The processor 205 is, for example, a central processingunit (CPU) or a simpler data storage device utilizing encoded andencrypted instructions with processing capabilities in accordance withthe available memory 210. The memory device 210 includes read and writecapabilities and a variety of commercial, off the shelf memory media.The processor 205 and memory 210 collectively form the logic componentof the recorder 200. Recorder 200 includes a display 250 for informingthe driver of the remaining driving time permitted by the HOS laws orregulations, and for displaying relevant information to federal,national, state, provincial or local authorities, as discussed below.

Referring to FIG. 3, a process 100 for logging and reporting driveractivity and vehicle operating data includes driver identification 110,data acquisition and recording 130, data processing 140, and datareporting 150. On-board recorder 200 is always powered on. Recorder 200can automatically enter a “sleep mode” in which non-essential systemssuch as the display screen are powered down to conserve power, and thedriver can awaken recorder 200 by pushing any key, or recorder 200 canbe awakened by starting the vehicle or if the vehicle moves. The abilityof the driver to cause the unit to go into sleep mode or to power-offcan be limited or prevented. The identity of the driver is determined bythe use of a unique driver ID, for example, a portable memory deviceissued to the operator and operable with a portable memory device reader241, such as a smart card or contact memory button. The ability tostart, move, or disable the vehicle can be controlled by or contingentupon an accurate identification of the driver.

Referring to FIG. 4, data acquisition and recording 130 encompassesacquiring data from the vehicle mileage sensing system, the vehicle ECM,GPS, driver input, and data portal 235. The on-board recorder 200 isconnected to the ECM of the vehicle through a data bus, such as an SAEJ1708, J1850 or J1939 data bus connected through the ECM interface 225.The data on the bus is translated into an RS232 signal via a commercialoff-the-shelf data translator and fed into the on-board recorderprocessor 205 and memory 210. The vehicle mileage sensing systeminterface 220 is formed, for example, by hard-wiring on-board recorder200 to the vehicle's magnetic speed sensor. Recorder 200 includes aGlobal Positioning System (GPS) receiver which forms satellite interface230 and derives its input signal from an antenna located on the interioror exterior of the vehicle.

Mileage can be determined from only the ECM or through a broadcasting ofan odometer reading from a vehicle dashboard, such as on a SAE J 1708MID 140 bus. Alternatively, data received from the vehicle mileagesensing system, such as a speed sensor positioned at the transmissiontail shaft of a vehicle can be automatically calibrated, for example, bycomparing the data to mileage determined from GPS or through GPS mappingfrom a central server. The device can be automatically re-calibrated, byprogramming recorder 200 with the size and wear of the vehicle's tiresand/or for different gear ratios. Recorder 200 can then provide thecalibrated mileage to at least one of the odometer display and the ECM.Vehicle mileage can also be calibrated by using the GPS mapping at thecentral server and then sending the calibration back to the vehicle.

Recorder 200 automatically, continuously records the vehicle operatingdata as raw vehicle operating data obtained from the vehicle mileagesensing system and the ECM, and records GPS data at a set period time,for example, every fifteen minutes. GPS data can also be recorded uponthe detection of a specific event, such as a change in duty status, oroperating parameter, such as the engine being off for more than aspecified period of time. To determine the hours of service, thedriver's duty status throughout the day is also determined. Duty statusincludes driving-on duty, not driving-on duty, off duty, and sleeperberth. Each change in duty status can be manually input to recorder 200by the driver using duty status buttons 244 and recorded with a time anddate stamp obtained via GPS. Certain changes in duty status can also bedetermined automatically by recorder 200, as discussed below.

Data processing 140 creates an HOS log 141 and an IFTA log 142 from theraw data, and compares the HOS log to applicable regulations todetermine whether the driver is in-compliance with HOS regulations. Amore detailed exceptions report can be created from the comparison ofthe HOS log to applicable regulations that provide the detail of thecomparison. In creating the HOS log, recorder 200 continuouslycalculates the time the driver has been in each duty status over thecourse of a day. The HOS log includes the time per duty status for eightconsecutive days, including a calculation of the total hours driventoday, total hours on duty for the past seven days, and total hours onduty for the past eight days. The hours of service log is typicallycreated from date, time, mileage and duty status.

In creating the IFTA log, at every acquisition of data from GPS, forexample, every fifteen minutes, the miles driven over that time periodare calculated from mileage data obtained from the vehicle mileagesensing system and/or ECM, and recorded with a location, time, and datestamp obtained from the GPS data. A fuel tax report is then created,preferably by an external server, such as the host server or a secondserver communicating with the host server, having the requisite softwareto create a report in compliance with IFTA regulations, from the IFTAlog and any required fuel purchase information.

Data processing 140 can also include an automatic determination ofchange in duty status from off-duty to driving on-duty. By recording thetime when the vehicle starts to move, as determined by the ECMindicating engine use, i.e., that the vehicle has been started, and bythe vehicle mileage sensing system or ECM indicating motion, recorder200 automatically records a change of duty status to driving-on duty atthat time. By recording the time when the engine is turned off for apredetermined period, such as four minutes, recorder 200 automaticallyprompts the driver to input a change of duty status to not driving-onduty, off duty, or sleeper berth. Also, by recording the time when theengine remains on but the vehicle is not moving (determined from, forexample, either a speed of zero obtained from the ECM or there being nochange in mileage) for a predetermined period, such as four minutes,recorder 200 can automatically prompt the driver to input a change ofduty status to not driving-on duty, off duty, or sleeper berth. Off dutystatus is automatically determined at the time the driver logs out fromrecorder 200, for example, by removing the smart card from smart cardreader 241. Alternatively, the driver can use the keys to indicateoff-duty status while leaving the card in the reader.

Data reporting 150 includes using recorder 200 to provide information tothe driver, as discussed above, displaying on display device 250 thehours of service log and compliance status, with display 250 andindicator lights 246. An additional display tablet can be connected torecorder 200 to display the hours of service log in grid form. Forexample, operator's total hours driven today, total hours on duty today,total miles driven today, total hours on duty for seven days, totalhours on duty for eight days, and the operator's changes in duty statusand the times the changes occurred are displayed.

Data reporting 150 also encompasses the ability of system 100 toautomatically upload the hours of service log and the fuel tax log to areceiver external to the vehicle using a wireless telecommunicationsnetwork. Recorder 200 also emits, such as periodically or continuously,a signal representative of the compliance status to a second receiverexternal to the vehicle and under control of authorities, such as lawenforcement, carrier management, regulatory agencies or other approvedinspector or agent. In addition, the compliance status, HOS logs or amore detailed exceptions report can be uploaded to a second receiverexternal to the vehicle when recorder 200 is queried.

Recorder 200 is configured to automatically attempt to transmit data toa host server via the wireless telecommunications network's off-peakhours, e.g., at a pre-determined period of time (e.g., 1:00 am-5:00 am)that is selected because it is available at low cost. A wirelesstelecommunications network made up of pager networks, cell phonenetworks and wide area networks provides low cost options. Other optionsare an infrared connection, a radio connection, and a satelliteconnection. Recorder 200 is programmed to seek a single wirelesstelecommunications network to upload data to a host server.Alternatively, recorder 200 can be programmed to seek various wirelesstelecommunications networks to upload data to a host server, from theleast cost to the next most expensive cost and so on until the devicefinds such a data link and uploads its data. If after a predeterminedtime period for performing an upload, such as fourteen days, upload hasnot been successful, each day's HOS log, and IFTA log, and alternativelyan exceptions report as well, can be uploaded whenever the recordercomes into contact with the predetermined method of uploading data, orcan be uploaded over a satellite connection. Data is stored on recorder200 for not less than 14 consecutive days and is organized by driver forhours of service purposes and/or by vehicle for fuel tax reportingpurposes.

By continuously emitting a signal indicating the compliance status ofthe driver, recorder 200 provides a way whereby authorized federal,state or local officials can immediately check the status of a driver'shours of service. Authorities receive this signal whenever the vehicleis within a predetermined range of the second receiver located, forexample in a hand-held device, law enforcement vehicle, weigh station,or along a highway. The entire hours of service log can be displayed onrecorder 200 or on an electronic display or tablet connected thereto, ordownloaded, when recorder 200 is queried. Data can be downloaded to lawenforcement personnel using a receiver tied to a computer, for example;in the law enforcement vehicle, that wirelessly interrogates recorder200 and displays the data, by using a handheld device in the possessionof a law enforcement officer that wirelessly interrogates recorder 200and displays the data, or by using a wired connection through a portinside or outside of the vehicle.

The capability can also be provided to download information from a hostserver to the recorder. For example, using the communication link bywhich data is downloaded to the host server, the host server can alsocommunicate data to recorder 200 at the end of the daily upload cycle.Data transmitted can include driver regime, such as 7 day/60 hour or 8day/70 hour regime. The host server can also communicate with recorder200 as desired via a wireless telecommunications network to ascertaininformation, such as compliance status, location as of the last GPSrecording and remaining HOS.

Referring to FIG. 5, the overall process includes driver and vehicleidentification and verification 505, acquiring and recording GPS data atpre-determined intervals, for example, every 15 minutes 510, acquiringmileage and ECM data, for example, continuously, recording mileage andECM data, for example, at least every 15 minutes, 515, determining dutystatus from driver input and/or automatically and recording duty status520, calculating total hours per day in each duty status to create anHOS log 530, recording latitude and longitude for fuel tax reporting535, comparing the HOS log to regulations to determine compliance,uploading compliance status or a detailed exceptions report to federal,national, state, provincial or local authorities 550 continuously,periodically or upon receipt of authority's or driver request, uploadingto the host server 560, for example, daily, and uploading to therecorder display 570, for example, every five minutes.

Recorder 200 automatically records data formatted to meet home countrylegal requirements and country of operation legal requirements. Forexample, a driver whose home country is Mexico, may operate a vehicleover a period of time in the United States. The operation of the vehiclewithin these countries, and their respective states, provincial or localjurisdictions triggers different reporting requirements to comply withrespective HOS laws or regulations. Recorder 200 simultaneously recordshours of service and/or fuel tax information that is country-specific,such as for the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and has multi-lingualreporting capability, such as English, French and/or Spanish.

As seen in FIG. 6, a graphical representation of an hours of service logincludes duty status (off-duty, sleeper berth, driving, and on duty-notdriving) on the vertical axis, and hours of the day on the horizontalaxis. The log line indicates each change in duty status, the time thechange occurred, and the hours within each duty status between changes.In the example shown for Day 1, the driver was in “off duty” status for10 hours (midnight to 10 am on Day 1), followed by five hours of on“duty-driving” (10 am to 3 pm on Day 1), followed by a “sleeper berth”period of five hours (3 pm to 8 pm). The driver was then back on duty“driving” for another five hours (8 pm to 1 am on Day 2) when the driverwas pulled over for a routine roadside inspection or weigh station. Inthis situation, the driver was in compliance with the hours of serviceregulations. Accordingly, a signal representing a compliance status(in-compliance state) would have been emitted by the on-board recorderduring the inspection. The law enforcement officer would have knownbefore inspecting the hours of service log shown in FIG. 6 that thedriver was already in compliance.

A complete display of an hours of service log can provide eight suchgraphical representations, one for each of the eight days, and a summaryof the total hours driven today, total hours on duty for seven days andtotal hours on duty for eight days. As seen in FIG. 7. the hours ofservice log shown in FIG. 6 can be displayed separately from recorder200. For example, an external display device 700 is connected torecorder 200 to provide a more detailed review of recorded data.External display device 700, such as an electronic tablet connectedwirelessly or through a wired connection such as a USB connection withrecorder 200, has a relatively large display 750 for viewing detailedHOS logs (see FIG. 6) that are not as easily viewed on the display 250of recorder 200. The external display device 700 includes a devicefunctioning indicator 710, compliance status indicators 720, a home oroperating country selector 730, driver selectors or indicators 740, aduty status selector 760 and a data transmission port 770, such as a USBconnection or wireless transceiver for wirelessly communicating withrecorder 200.

Referring to FIG. 8, a device 800 for receiving a signal indicating acompliance status of a driver or vehicle has an “in-compliance”indicator 810, an “out-of-compliance” indicator 820, an input/keypad830, and a receiver 840 for receiving emitted compliance status signalsfrom nearby recorders 200. Device 800 can be powered from a lawenforcement officer's vehicle (such as plugged into a cigarettelighter), or battery, and can be a handheld device that is used tomonitor passing and nearby vehicles for HOS compliance status. Recorder200 can have a short range RF transmitter which broadcasts the driver'sHOS compliance status, electronic vehicle license plate, drivers riskfactor based oh past records, etc. The receiver can be an RF receiverdistributed to state, local, and federal authorities providing snapshotmonitoring of the status of drivers (HOS compliant or non-compliant),high risk drivers and vehicles at toll gates and border crossings.

A number of embodiments of the invention have been described.Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Forexample, the on-board recorder may be configured to include one or moreof the following features.

Recorder 200 can include a biometric reader for verifying the identityof the driver using, for example, facial, retinal or thumbprintrecognition. The identity data is compared to a database within recorder200 to verify the identity of the driver by matching the biometric witha specific driver. The unique driver ID can be a Transportation WorkerIdentification Card (TWIC) currently being developed by theTransportation Security Administration (TSA) or a commercial driver'slicense (CDL) issued by various state or federal governments. Thevehicle can be disabled if the identity of the driver cannot be verifiedafter some predetermined time.

Camera 249 can be a miniature camera, such as with IR lighting for nightdriving, positioned on the front face of recorder 200 for visualanalyzing the driver. The camera is used to identify the driver andvisually tie the driver to the HOS data. Facial recognition, retinal orIRIS mapping, and driver behavior can be periodically assessed such asfor drowsy driver syndrome from the recorder or an external source, suchas through an external host server. The digital camera feature can beused for gate authorization by sending the drivers' ID and photographahead to a destination, such as a shipping dock or border crossing. Thecamera feature can be used for on-board documentation to the centralserver. Once the vehicle is in the non-moving and park mode the digitalcamera can also be used as a FAX/Scanner.

The portable memory device carried by the driver, for example, the smartcard or contact memory button (such as the IBUTTON™ available fromDallas Semiconductor Corp.), can be configured to retain driver identitydata, driving regime (such as, 7 day or 8 day regime), and the driver'shours of service log such that this information is automaticallydownloaded from the portable memory device to recorder 200 whenever adriver logs into a vehicle. In this way, the driver's hours of servicelog and related information can be transferred from one vehicle toanother as the driver changes vehicle. Such data can also be downloadedinto recorder 200 from the fleet carrier via several methods, forexample, a wired connection at the fleet terminal, a wireless connectionat the fleet terminal and/or a wireless download at any location withinthe range of a wireless telecommunications network. The portable memorydevice can include a programmable logic controller, such as anelectrically erasable, programmable, read-only memory (EEPROM) of flashEEPROM.

Additional information that can be stored on the portable memory deviceincludes the driver's current driving regime, the commercial driverlicense number (CDL #), commercial driver endorsements (e.g., HAZMAT),traffic violations and high risk driver data (e.g., DWI convictions).Transactions such as the last vehicle driven can also be stored on thedriver card. Portable memory device technology, such as the IBUTTON™,can be used to transfer fuel purchase information about the vehicleand/or driver to a fuel pump and/or from the fuel pump to recorder 200.Alternatively, or in combination, infrared and RFID technology can beused to transfer data to and from recorder 200 to a user ID card orother external data source.

Recorder 200 can separately record each driver's duty status when morethan one driver is driving the vehicle, for example team driving. Whilethe hours of service for a particular driver are transferred, forexample, by a wireless telecommunications network connection or portablememory device, when the driver moves to a new vehicle, the IFTA logs,which are vehicle dependent, remain with the recorder on the oldvehicle.

IFTA reports identify the miles driven in each jurisdiction. Bordercrossings, for example, between states, countries, and provinces, can bedetermined by the driver inputting to recorder 200 when a border iscrossed, by mapping software on an external server, or by mappingsoftware on recorder 200. Recorder 200 can emit a signal indicatingwhether the recorder is present and thus recording data for compliancewith applicable IFTA laws or regulations, and can emit safety relatedinformation such as tire pressure.

For each change of duty status, whether input manually or determinedautomatically, location as determined by GPS can be recorded. If avehicle is equipped with an Intelligent Dash Board with speedometer, ondash odometer and fuel gage 225, data can be collected by recorder 200from the Intelligent Dash Board rather than through the vehicle mileagesensing system interface 220.

The data processing 140 and data reporting 150 sections can also providethe capability of data encryption to ensure data integrity and toprevent tampering by the vehicle operator. However, the driver and/orcarrier can be permitted to modify the operating data, and the processorincludes a track changes function that records any alterations ofoperating data. Recording 200 can also provide the capability ofauthenticating the recipient of data such that data is only available toauthorized users.

Recorder 200 can prompt the driver to review and verify that all entriesare accurate prior to uploading data to the carrier. Recorder 200 canfurther prompt the driver to certify that all entries made by the driverare true and correct or that recorder 200 is operating properly. Ifrecorder 200 malfunctions, the recorder can notify the driver visually,audibly and/or using a text message, prompt the driver to revert to apaper log, and/or emit an out-of-compliance signal. If recorder 200determines that the vehicle is moving but no driver is logged on, avisual/audio/or text warning is provided to the driver signaling thatthe driver is not logged-in, and an out-of-compliance signal is emitted.Recorder 200 can also warn the driver when the driver is approaching themaximum limitations established by the hours of service laws orregulations. Recorder 200 can also upload such a warning to the carrier.

To limit “double counting,” whereby a driver uses a paper log book whenrecorder 200 is on-board, recorder 200 can emit a signal indicating thatrecorder 200 is on-board the vehicle. Recorder 200 has logic built in toaccount for, for example, gaps in miles or time to ensure the driverdoes not tamper with recorder 200, such as by disconnecting the powersource, pulling a fuse, or similar tampering.

Recorder 200 continually or periodically performs self-testing and canprompt the driver to troubleshoot for system errors and systemrebooting. Recorder 200 can self-test upon demand from law enforcement.

WIFI™ or BLUETOOTH™ technology can be utilized to facilitate datatransfer and/or permit the communication of many different devices toform a communication network. BLUETOOTH™ technology can be used topermit the downloading of fuel purchase information to recorder 200and/or as the communication protocol for the recorder itself incommunications with law enforcement or any other data transfer.

Recorder 200 can have a short range RF transmitter which broadcasts thedriver's HOS compliance status, electronic vehicle license plate,driver's risk factor based on past records, etc. The receiver can be anRF receiver distributed to state, local, and federal authorities for asnapshot monitoring status of drivers (HOS compliant or non compliant)high risk drivers and vehicles at toll gates and border crossings, andfor Homeland Security purposes generally. The receiver can plug into thecigarette lighter of the law enforcement vehicle, similar power sourceor be positioned within a handheld device. A non-compliant driver can beidentified by recorder 200 emitting short range signals, such as 315 MHZor 434 MHZ (approximately 200 ft) RF signals, which can be detected byauthorities. The receiver held by authorities can be a 315 MHZ or 434MHZ RF device. The data exchange is dependent upon an authenticationprocess, whereby only authorized users (the authorities) can access thedata. The authorities can then be alerted while driving past a vehicleon the highway or when sitting along an interstate and monitoring forviolators. Once a violation has been detected the authorities can obtaina detailed log from the recorder via a hard connection or a wirelessconnection, such as BLUETOOTH™ OR WIFI™ adapter in the USB data port ofrecorder 200. Also the non compliant driver status can be broadcasted onthe SAE J1708/1587 data bus and the RS-232 port from the recorder. Asanother method the RS-232 and/or SAE J 1708 data can allow existingtelecommunication products on the vehicle such as QUALCOMM™, XATA™ andPEOPLENET™ to transmit the driver log report status. Also, as anothermethod the RS232, SAE J1708 or USB data port can allow the driver logsto be downloaded via WIFI™ or BLUETOOTH™ adapters or devices at WIFI™hot spots at truck stops, for example, SIRICOMM™ has incorporated WIFI™hot spots at Pilot Service Centers, and WIFI™ Hot(s) Networks areplanned at weigh stations, toll gates, and Fleet Terminals.

Vehicles emitting an in-compliance signal can pass through a checkpointor roadside inspection without further delay and those that are notin-compliance can be stopped for further investigation. Recorder 200 canbe queried to generate a driver's hours of service graph and display thegraph, for example, on a display tablet that can be connected torecorder 200. Electronic tablet 700 can be equipped with a rechargeablebattery, such as a NiCd battery or a standard NiCad battery pack used onvideo cameras. The electronic tablet device 700 can include an antennafor all types of wireless communication and a connection permittingwired communication. The electronic tablet 700 can include a USB port sothat printers and other devices can communicate to the electronic table700. The recorder can be provided with a USB Port to form a direct,non-wireless connection to the tablet.

Recorder 200 can also be provided with the option of detecting whetheror not a trailer is tethered to the vehicle. If tethered, recorder 200connects to a PLC chip located in the trailer from the ABS TrailerModule that contains the trailer's ID number and related data and a PLCreceiver chip located in the recorder. The trailer ID information can beobtained from various sources, for example, via a PLC4Trucks power linecommunications, such as defined in SAE J2497. If the fleet operatorwants to locate that particular trailer it can access the PLC networkchip via cell or pager network, or via satellite, through recorder 200.

The Recorder 200 can be equipped with a Tractor PLC ID transmitter chipand the driver log information can be downloaded from a Trailer TrackingSystem, such as TERION™, using a SAE J 2497 power line communicationprotocol. This method allows the driver's log report along with atractor ID to be sent through an existing power line, for example, usinga standard SAE J560 tractor/trailer connector and SAE J2497 protocol toa trailer communication wireless product.

Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the followingclaims.

1. An electronic device for logging and reporting driver activity andvehicle operation, comprising: a memory device configured to storeoperating data; a power supply; a first interface configured to connectto a vehicle mileage sensing system; a second interface configured toconnect to a data bus of the vehicle; a receiver configured to link witha global navigation satellite system; at least one data portalconfigured to upload data from the memory device to a receiver externalto the vehicle using a wireless telecommunications network, andsupporting a connection with a receiver external to the vehicle andunder control of authorities; a driver interface configured to recorddriver identification information input by a driver of the vehicle andduty status input by the driver; a processor operatively connected tothe memory device for processing encoded instructions and recording dataselected from a group consisting of operating data, an hours of servicelog, and a fuel tax log; and a display.
 2. A method for logging andreporting driver activity and vehicle operation, comprising: identifyinga driver of a vehicle; recording operating data with an electronicdevice operatively connected to a data bus of the vehicle, coupled to avehicle mileage sensing system, and linked to a global navigationsatellite system, the operating data being selected from a groupconsisting of mileage obtained from at least one of the vehicle mileagesensing system and the data bus; engine use, time, and date obtainedfrom the vehicle data bus; and location, time, and date obtained fromthe global navigation satellite system; recording a duty status of thedriver; creating an hours of service log comprising data selected from agroup consisting of a change in duty status of the driver, time and datethe change occurred, hours within each duty status, total hours driventoday, total hours on duty for seven days, and total hours on duty foreight days; and automatically uploading the hours of service log to areceiver external to the vehicle using a wireless telecommunicationsnetwork.